Improvement in cup-and-ball toys



G. SCHOENZ'.

' CUP AND BAL TOYS.

P-atente djec. 5,1876.

' fizverz Z0 7";

THE GRAPHIC C(LNM Urvrrinn STATES PATENT cam.

GODFREY SOHOEN, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN CUP-AND-BALL TOYS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. I 85,049. dated December 5, 1876; application filed May 9,1876.

To all whom it may concern 1 Be it known that I, GODFREY SOHOEN, of Baltimore city, in the State of Maryland, have invented an Improvement in Toy (hips and Balls, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a vertical section, showing the ball pressed down upon the spring in the end of the cup-handle; Fig. 2, an elevation showing the ball as being thrown, and Fig. 3 a View showing the toy reversed and receiving the ball.

My object is to produce a cup and ball which shall be a simple and attractive toy, so distinguished from other cups and balls as to commend itself to children for its novelty, its method of operation, and its capacity to project the ball in a straight line. To this end I employ a ball with a diametrical perforation, which is strung upon a guide-stem fixed in the hollow handle of the bell-shaped cup, at that part technically called the ear, and which ball is projected therefrom in a vertical line by the foroeof a spiral spring surrounding said stem, and fastened at its junction with the bell-cup. The ball being thrown, the child reverses the bell, and thus presents a cup-receptacle to receive it as it falls.

Referring to the drawings, the handle A is a hollow stem, and is suitably fastened in the ear of the bell-shaped cup B, which receives the ball, as will be presently described. Within this hollow handle is aguide-stem, a, which extends from said handle a sufficient distance for the purpose of permitting the necessary contraction of a spiral spring, I), which surrounds it, and which is fastened at its base. This spring may have an annular bearingcollar, (1. to protect the ball.

The difference between the diameter of the hollow of the handle and the thickness of the stem is amply suflicient to form an annular way for the play of the spring.

The perforated ball 0 is strung upon the guide-stem a, and, being pressed down, contracts the spring b, as shown in Fig. 1, and the pressure being released, the spring recoils and projects the ball, as shown in Fig. 2. The toy is' now reversed, as shown in- Fig. 3, and receives the ball in the cup. The dotted lines and arrows indicate the course of the ball.

The guide-stem and perforated ball are for the purpose of projecting the ball in a straight line. In practice this line is preferably vertical.

Two boys may play at a game, each having one of these toys and balls simultaneously thrown by each, and the ball thrown by the one caught by the other; or one boy may, as well, amuse himself alone.

The reversing of the toy tends to some slight exhibition of skill, as the boy may, if careless, fail to catch it as it falls. This feature adds some zest to the play, which is not the case when the ball is projected from the cup and its course confined by a string. In the latter case any attempt at a game of chance is impossible, and the child finds the toy devoid of interest.

By my invention a moderate degree of excitement is kept up, and from two to six may readily engage together in the play.

I make this toy of any suitable material; but I intend to put it upon the market made of tin, andof a design for which I shall subsequentl y ask Letters Patent.

I claiml. A cup-and-ball toy having its handle provided with the ball-projecting mechanism at the end opposite the cup, for the purpose of permitting the reversing of the toy to receive the ball.

2. The combination of the hollow handle A, guide-stem a, spiral spring I), and perforated GODFREY SOHOEN. Witnesses:

J. W. HAMILTON JOHNSON, A. E. H. JOHNSON. 

